Healthy Kids Advisors Initiative
The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is delighted to be leading a new initiative on behalf of the Victorian Government, focused on embedding healthy food and drink options in the places where children and families gather.
Our dedicated workforce of Healthy Kids Advisors operates in 13 targeted local government areas to boost participation in the Vic Kids Eat Well movement – a state-wide initiative supported by the Victorian Government and delivered by Cancer Council Victoria’s Achievement Program, in partnership with Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Advisory Service.
All children and young people deserve access to healthy and delicious food. Vic Kids Eat Well targets schools, out of school care, sports clubs, recreation facilities, and community and council-operated facilities to ensure kids have access to the healthy food and drink options they need to learn, play, grow and thrive.
Our Advisors
Healthy Kids Advisors are locally based outreach officers with existing community networks and understandings. Their collaborative partnerships with family focused organisations, health and food agencies, and support networks connect and embed them in local settings to help drive excitement and participation in Vic Kids Eat Well.
Advisors work with councils to reach their goals. Through simple, achievable steps, they provide practical guidance on ways to increase balanced food and drink options, connect with local food suppliers, and create links with other health and wellbeing initiatives in the area, while looking for ways to embed these healthy changes sustainably.
Each step of the way, Advisors engage with stakeholders, advocates, parents and carers, children and young people to learn from and listen to the local changes that communities want to see most. Through hands-on guidance and support, Advisors leverage the Foundation’s pleasurable food education philosophy to facilitate these actions.
The Healthy Kids Advisors Initiative will connect with existing initiatives to help galvanise the community around making healthy changes – not to replace or reinvent work already being done. Working together, they will guide progress to meet the healthy eating goals unique to each community.
Priority communities
The Healthy Kids Advisors Initiative is active in 13 local government areas:
- Buloke Shire Council
- Central Goldfields Shire Council
- City of Greater Bendigo
- Colac Otway Shire Council
- East Gippsland Shire Council
- Glenelg Shire Council
- Greater Dandenong City Council
- Greater Shepparton City Council
- Hume City Council
- Melton City Council
- Mildura Rural City Council
- Northern Grampians Shire Council
- Southern Grampians Shire Council
Healthy Kids Advisors and Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
This project aligns with the Foundation’s vision to see children form positive food habits for life. Through 20 years of delivering the Kitchen Garden Program, we are experienced in responding to the needs of families and the settings where they spend their time.
The Foundation is also experienced in co-creating food education programs and helping to engage the community in making positive changes in local food culture. We are excited to see a similar approach being utilised outside of the school gate so that children receive consistent food messaging and behaviour in their wider community.
Want more information?
To find out more, read the FAQs or contact Jen Sainsbury, General Manager - Healthy Kids Advisors Initiative, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation: jen.sainsbury@kitchengardenfoundation.org.au
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Healthy Kids Advisors is a 3-year initiative supported by the Victorian Government and the Australian Government.
